The Omar El-Khayam rose to the occasion
(for more Egypt photos, click here: March 2007, June 2011, July 2011)
After six weeks travelling through Upper Egypt, Cairo and Alexandria we are now back in Berlin. Working in Egypt was quite a different experience from just travelling independently through the country. As there were not many tourists due to the summer heat and the revolution, people were quite eager to show us around and present their hotel, restaurant or ship at its best.
Once we visited a cruise ship that was not in operation. We had to enter a special harbour area in Aswan and then a small boat brought our small party out to the ship, where the captain and one other staff member were already waiting. We were prepared for dimly lit cabins, and a semi-dark dining hall with the chairs put up on the tables. What a surprise when we found the ship in full operation and fully lit. The Jacuzzis and the pool were filled, some of the cabins prepared as if guests would arrive within the next hour. Only the giant fridges in the kitchen were empty except for a few sad tomatoes and some La vache qui rit cream cheese.
Later we found out that the fleet manager accompanying us does not visit all that often and so this was a chance for the crew to impress.
In total we visited and compared about 30 ships and joined two cruises: One classical Nile cruise and one on Lake Nasser south of Aswan. We enjoyed both – especially the lack of mobile / internet connection on Lake Nasser! But alas, the book is still not written…
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